FEATURES:
- May Benefit & Attract: woodpeckers, owls, flickers, and bluebirds
- The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
- This bird-friendly native trees provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
- All Audubon® branded trees are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment.
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 2-9
- Mature Height: 50-80' tall
- Mature Width: 35-60' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 35-60' apart
Why plant Audubon® Native Cottonwood Treeling?
Eastern Cottonwood is predominantly a midwestern and Plains-states tree. Its native range runs from Montana to Texas (“The Alamo” means “The Cottonwood”), and eastward to North Carolina. Populations are spotty in New England and the southern Appalachians. This is a tree of riverbanks and bottomlands, where the steady moisture spurs it on to grow very fast and very large. Lone specimens also grow out in the open and provide welcome shade to livestock and wildlife on the Plains. Cottonwood gets its name from the abundance of fluffy white seeds that female trees release in late spring. Birds gather the fluffy stuff for lining their nests.
Not for small properties! Eastern Cottonwood quickly gets huge. It will grow four to five feet per year and may eventually reach 100 feet tall and have a trunk six feet thick. It also tends to drop branches in bad storms. Don’t plant it near buildings, swimming pools, or city streets. Do plant it in large, open spaces with all-day sun and light, loamy soil. Though primarily a river-loving tree, Eastern Cottonwood can be remarkably drought tolerant. Give it plenty of irrigation at least during the first couple of years of establishment.
How to use Audubon® Native Cottonwood Treeling in the landscape?
When we think of butterfly gardens, we do not usually think of massive shade trees, but caterpillar food is just as important to butterfly survival as flowers are, and Eastern Cottonwood is great caterpillar food. It services viceroys, red-spotted purples, Lorquin’s admirals, tiger swallowtails, mourning cloaks, and dreamy duskywings.
Audubon® Native Plants & Trees
Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.
What is the definition of Native?
“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society
Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.
Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 2-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native Cottonwood Treeling
Not for small properties! Eastern Cottonwood quickly gets huge. It will grow four to five feet per year and may eventually reach 100 feet tall and have a trunk six feet thick. It also tends to drop branches in bad storms. Don’t plant it near buildings, swimming pools, or city streets. Do plant it in large, open spaces with all-day sun and light, loamy soil. Though primarily a river-loving tree, Eastern Cottonwood can be remarkably drought tolerant. Give it plenty of irrigation at least during the first couple of years of establishment.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How Does Shipping Work?
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health.. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
